Homer laughlltnt



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOMER LAUGHLIN, OF EASTONVILLE, COLORADO.

STIRRUP.

5PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 321,984, dated July 14, 1885.

Application filed December 15, 1884.

To aZZ whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, HOMER LAUGHLIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eastonville, in the county of El Paso and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stirrups, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. My invention relates to stirrups; and it consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter particularly described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a stirrup-strap and stirrup embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the stirrup removed from the strap. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the stirrup and the strap.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A designates the stirrup, which is of the usual form and construction, with the exception that the bar or cross-piece B, which connects the upper ends of its sides, is journaled in the latter so as to rotate or turn, for the purpose presently described. Through this bar or cross-piece B, at or about the center, is provided a hole, a, for the passage-of a bolt, 0, by which the stirrup is swiveled to the stirrup-strap D. The latter is provided with a hole, I), through which the bolt 0 is passed, the upper end of which bolt has a key-hole for the reception of a springkey, E. The bar or cross-piece B is formed with a rectangular countersink, d, in its under face around the hole a, in which is received a nut, F, on the lower end of the bolt O, and by means of this connection the stirrup is prevented from turning 011 the bolt;but the latter is compelled to work or turn in the hole or socket provided in the stirrup-strap when the stirrup is turned to permit the horseman to mount.

A washer, H, is fitted on the bolt 0, and is interposed between the leather of the stirrupstrap and the spring-key E, and in this manner the swivel-connection is completed.

A stirrup of this construction is especially 1 useful in the western country among stockmen, as the horses frequently fall with their riders, and sometimes the bootof the rider (No model.)

hangs in the stirrup and cannot be extricated, causing the horseman to be dragged and not infrequently seriously hurt. With my improved stirrup this kind of an accident cannot occur, for if the rider be thrown from the animal the stirrup will immediately turn by reason of the swivel-connection, and thereby release the foot of the rider, so that he cannot be dragged, while at the same time the stirrup is perfectly safe in other respects. Furthermore, the cross piece or bar B rolls or turns in the stirrup when the latter is drawn outward. The object of this construction is apparent. Were the cross-piece rigid, as is usually the case, when the horseman turned the stirrup around at right angles to the strap D, so as to face sidewise, he could only get a portion of his foot-on the stirrup, and thus there would be danger of slipping or accidentally falling when mounting; but by having the cross-piece so as to turn when the stirrup is drawn outward (see Fig. 1) the riders foot will come flat in the stirrup, and he can obtain a good footing therein, and thereby avoid all possibility of accidents. In this manner a stirrup is provided which enables the rider to mount the animal with greater ease and safety.

Instead of the spring-key, a nut may be employed on the upper end of the bolt- 0, in which case the latter will be threaded.

In mounting, the horseman stands in front of the saddle and holds the bridle-reins in his left hand, and wit-h the right hand he grasps the horn of the saddle and swings to his seat.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is.

The stirrup having a cross piece or bar at its upper end adapted to turn or roll, in combination with the stirrup-strap D and a swivelei bolt, 0, connecting thelatterto the crosspiece of the stirrup, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as y own I have hereto aftixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HOMER LAUGHLIN.

Witnesses:

A. B. WHITMORE, A. A. MoGovNEY. 

